Judi and Bruce gave me the book, Flying with Amelia by Anne DeGrace for Christmas. It's been sitting on my bedside table ever since. I've been saving it. For what? No idea.
I had to go downtown yesterday, I took it to read on the train. Between the train ride into town, an hour in a coffee shop, the train ride home and a comfy spot on my couch last night, I started and finished it in one day.
I've never read anything by Anne DeGrace before. She is from Nelson, BC - so nearish to where Judi and Bruce live. She writes beautifully. She had me disappearing into the story on page one.
The story starts in 1847, following the McGrath family and their bunk neighbours, the Murphy family as they sail from Ireland to Newfoundland. Each chapter jumps a decade or more, the Province and the characters change but they are all linked. Some of the links are really obvious like grandchildren of the family in the first chapter. Other times the links are way more subtle.
My only complaint? Each chapter finished too soon. I wasn't done with the characters and their story. I wanted to read more. Normally I hate this style of storytelling, but not this time.
I'll read Flying with Amelia again in a little bit. It'll also make a great gift for a few other people I know.
Thanks Judi!
http://www.annedegrace.ca/portfolio/flying-with-amelia/